CASA Receives National Grant

Lancaster, PA, (July 27, 2017) – Court Appointed Special Advocates of Lancaster County has been awarded a $37,000 grant from the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association. Funds will be used to help more abused or neglected children in Lancaster County benefit from the services of a CASA volunteer.

CASA of Lancaster County is one of almost 1,000 CASA and Guardian ad Litem (GAL) programs across the country that recruit, train and support 76,000 volunteer advocates. These citizen-volunteers help ensure that children who have been removed from their parents’ care receive appropriate services, have a voice in determining their futures and, ultimately, find a safe, permanent home where they can thrive.

A child enters the foster care system every two minutes, and currently there are not enough CASA volunteers to serve every child. On average, for every child assigned a CASA volunteer, two others do without. “The needs of Lancaster County’s children coming into care are complicated, and life in foster care can be chaotic,” said Jessica Laspino, Executive Director. “Every child deserves the support of a caring, consistent adult with the training to help her or him heal and thrive.”

The federal grant funds distributed through National CASA are provided by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, US Department of Justice, as authorized under the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990. They are awarded through a competitive process. In 2016, National CASA awarded over $4.4 million in federal grants.

CASA of Lancaster County is holding its next volunteer training from September 11th - October 2nd, with a swearing-in ceremony the evening of October 4th. Classes meet every Monday and Wednesday at a location TBD. Admission to pre-service training for volunteer advocates is contingent upon completing the necessary prerequisites.

For more information about becoming a CASA volunteer or other ways to get involved in changing a child’s life visit our website: casalancaster.org, call (717) 208-3280, or email bonnie@casalancaster.org.